Decision: Which Leatherman for birthday?

T

Tblock1

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Aug 13, 2008
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So basically I was told I could choose my birthday gift for around $100 and a leatherman MUT was suggested. I already have a leatherman micra and juice which I have had for 10 years. However I would like a little bulkier leatherman for some tasks, but I'm not sold on the MUT yet.

So either suggest the best leatherman, not necessarily for everyday carry but for somewhat heavy use, or if you like any knife around $100. Or should I wait for the OHT?

Thanks!

EDIT: I really like my dad's surge so maybe something like that but not the same :)
 
Heavy use Leatherman = Super Tool 300. You can find it for about $60.

If you're willing to look at other brands, the SwissTools from Victorinox are great and you can get them with a ratchet and extra bits for around $100. The pliers aren't as good as the ones on the ST300, though.
 
Although the Surge is a clever design, I'm not sure it is a top choice for heavy duty. It is beefy enough, but there are some intricate parts on it that can malfunction, break, fall off and get lost. Also, because the spines of the blades almost meet when the handles are in pliers mode, if you lose your hold on whatever you were trying to grip with the pliers, you can and probably will wind up with a serious blood blister on your palm. Beyond that, the whole thing has too may sharp edges, not very hand friendly. This is not good in a hand tool.

Oh yeah, and another thing; it's seriously heavy enough to get to you. I'm the guy who once said the heft weren't no big deal, but as time went on I found myself making excuses to pack something lighter for the day. It remained in my inventory for that "really big job" which really never came up until I finally stopped kidding myself and sold it off to someone who either can use it for actual work or go through a similar learning process. As an EDC tool, the weight puts this one over the limit for that purpose, unless, of course, you have the strength of two separate gorillas, in which case you probably wouldn't need a multi-tool anyway.

If you are serious about heavy duty, you'll want a Super Tool 300. Pair it with a Style CS for the scissors and you can rule the world.
 
So what do you guys think of the Charge TTI? Cause I really like the scissors multi tool and although the super tool is built like a brick house, I would be willing to sacrifice that for all the bits and other tools on the charge. The victorinox tools are interesting, but I think I want to stick to Leatherman for now. Also any thoughts on the MUT? I shoot a lot and will be commissioning in the Army in 2 years so it could be useful too. Thanks
 
I have a Mut and Charge TTI. The latter gets carried more because it's lighter and more compact; actually, it's my most carried multitool. That might not matter to you if you plan to carry the Mut in the pouch that's included with it. Put another way, I'll carry the Charge TTI when I don't know that I'll need it, but I only carry the MUT when I think I might use it.

The advantages of the Mut are larger pliers (the Charge's hold their own), replaceable wire cutters, the hammer/pry end on the handle, the screwdrivers perhaps since it holds longer bits, and it just feels smoother (higher quality joints by the feel of it).

Advantages of the Charge is better blade steel (S30v vs. 420hc) and as mentioned it's easier to pocket.

I won't judge the tool selection because which is better in that regard depends on what you're going to do with it, but for me personally it's a tie because I like the scissors, two blades (one serrated), and two files on the Charge, but the hammer/pry tool of the Mut is my third most used tool (on any multitool) after pliers and blade.

edit: snapped some pics for size comparison

wwYTx.jpg


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TTI, MUT, Skeletool
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The Charge TTi has some great things going for it: diamond file, one hand opening blades one of which is made out of S30V, scissors, bit holder which allows you to have over a dozen drivers in a single tool, etc.

However, I think the ST300 holds up better under hard use (which is why an ST300 replaced my Charge TTi for that type of use). You can pair it with a small tool with scissors (Vic Executive, LM Style CS, etc.). I've had some issues with the Carge's bit holder and bits when putting too much torque on it, bent a couple of the flat head screwdriver bits and sometimes bits would work themselves free from the holder at the worst possible time. I'm not saying the Charge TTi sucks, it's a GREAT tool, but the humble ST300 has proven more rugged in my experience.

The MUT is a cool concept, but I wouldn't choose it for EDC (unless an M4 was part of my EDC as well!) since it has some very specific tools for firearm maintenance. I do keep one in my range bag and it comes in handy quite often.

It also depends on how you carry your multitool and what else you carry. For instance, I always have a couple of high quality knives in my pockets, so the one hand opening S30V blade on the Charge is not much of an advantage for me.
 
Thanks guys I really appreciate the pictures, from what I've seen the Charge TTi seems to be the most versatile, but I do like the bigger pliers on the MUT and the bolt override tool/hammer. I'm going to check them out in person tomorrow and then I will be able to make a decision, it's probably between the MUT and the TTi for me, no offense to the super tool but it is not as well featured and doesn't seem like it would be as comfortable to handle
 
Two leathermans I really like are the TTi and the Wave. Have a Charge ALX, though would like the TTi more since the screws and easily be undone if need be. The Wave is also a great deal for the price, sees pretty beefy too. The MUT looks cool, though I wouldn't be able to take advantage of some of the tools.

Let us know what you decide on!
 
well i checked a couple stores around and none of them had the charge TTi or the MUT unfortunately. One last question about the two: Are they both pretty comfortable to handle and any preference? Besides the surge's sharp edges the handles feel great with their size, versus my little juice cs4 which feels like a tiny ill fitting toy compared to the bigger models.

I prefer the charge for the most part but the hammer and bolt override tool seems very useful to me, and also I have many times I can think of where the disassembly punch would be awesome

Huh maybe I will just do my usual approach to knives and get one as the present and then buy the other one haha
 
I would go with the surge hands down! I've carried the wave and other multi tools for a few years then went with the leatherman surge, I fell in love with it, its huge and holds up to the beating I'm always giving it. Its my absolute favorite, and you can find it for under a 100 on eBay with free shipping and a awesome belt sheath for it.
 
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